Reviews Archive Part 2
Our Country's Good, 4****, Birmingham Rep & Ramps on the Moon
Convicts with convictions, and some officers with convictions, too.
Romeo and Juliet, 3***, RSC Stratford U Avon
The full story is told, but we don't get the full play
Duchess of Malfi: 4****: RSC Stratford U Avon
A chilling play for today that confirms Webster as a towering English Renaissance playwright
Macbeth, 4****, Stratford U Avon and London
Strong, modern story-telling in Gothic mode.
The String Quartet's Guide to Sex and Anxiety, 5*****, Birmingham and Tour
Birmingham Rep: The String Quartet’s Guide to Sex and Anxiety: Created by Calixto Bieito: Unusual, provocative, penetrating
WEST SIDE STORY. 4****, Birmingham
Birmingham
West Side Story
Stage Experience
The New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham
7.30 23rd to 26th August 2017
Four Stars ****
Review: Paul & David Gray
A Young Cast, Mature Beyond its Years
THE KITE RUNNER: adapted Spengler, Nottingham Playhouse till 9th September
Nottingham.
THE KITE RUNNER: adapted by Matthew Spangler.
4Stars****
Nottingham Playhouse.
www.nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk.
Runs: 2h 55m: one interval.
Review: Alan Geary: 1st September 2017.
One of the best Nottingham Playhouse productions in recent years.
WRECK: Campion, Nottingham Playhouse till 30th September
Nottingham.
WRECK: Toby Campion.
4Stars****
Nottingham Playhouse.
www.nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk. (Full Details from Fifth Word)
Runs: 55m: no interval: till 30th September.
Performance times: 7.45pm.
Review: Alan Geary: 23rd September 2017.
In all respects this one-hander is quite brilliant.
ALL MY SONS: Miller, Nottingham Playhouse till 21st October
Nottingham.
ALL MY SONS: Arthur Miller.
4Stars****
Nottingham Playhouse.
www.nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk.
Runs: 2h 30m: one interval: till 21st October.
Performance times 7.30pm (matinées 2.30pm Sat 14th and 1.30pm Thurs 19th).
Audio Described Performances Sat 14th 2.30pm and Thurs 19th: Captioned Performance Weds 18th: Signed Performance Weds 18th.
Review: Alan Geary: 10th October 2017.
A fine production of a great American classic.
Bach Magnificat, Ex Cathedra, 4****
Birmingham
Ex Cathedra & Members of CBSO - Bach Concert Saturday 14th October Symphony Hall
Programme:
Bach - Cantatas x 2 Orchestral Suite in D Major Bach – Magnificat
Review: Paul & David Gray
Magnificent Magnificat – An All-Bach Concert
4****
Bach Magnificat, Ex Cathedra, 4****
Birmingham
Ex Cathedra & Members of CBSO - Bach Concert Saturday 14th October Symphony Hall
Programme:
Bach - Cantatas x 2 Orchestral Suite in D Major Bach – Magnificat
Review: Paul & David Gray
Magnificent Magnificat – An All-Bach Concert
4****
Nativity, 4****, Birmingham, till 12 November And Tour to 9 Jan
Birmingham
NATIVITY: Debbie Isitt
4****
Runs: 2h 25m, one interval, to 12 November 2017
Bham Rep BO: 0121 236 4455
www.birmingham-rep.co.uk
Touoring to 6 Jan, details below
Review: Rod Dungate, 28 October 2017
@Rod_Dungate
A glorious poppy-field blossoms on the B’ham Rep stage
THE CHERRY ORCHARD: Chekhov, Nottingham Playhouse till 18th November.
Nottingham.
THE CHERRY ORCHARD: Anton Chekhov.
4Stars****
Nottingham Playhouse.
www.nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk.
Runs: 2h 30m: one interval: till 18th November.
Performance times 7.30pm (matinée 1.30pm Thurs 16th).
Audio Described Performances Thurs 16th 7.45pm.
Captioned and Signed Performance Weds 15th.7.45pm.
Review: Alan Geary: 7th November 2017.
The strengths of the evening easily counter its weaknesses.
Monteverdi Vespers, Ex Cathedra, 5*****, Birmingham
Birmingham
Monteverdi Vespers (1610)
Ex Cathdedra Consort & Baroque Ensemble
His Majestys Sagbutts & Cornetts
Birmingham Town Hall
3rd December 2017 4.00
5*****
Review: David Gray
Flawless reading of a Baroque Masterpiece
One Hundred and One Dalmations, 4****, Birmingham
Birmingham
The One Hindered and One Dilations: Original Story, Dodie Smith; Adaptation: Debbie Isitt
4****
Birmingham Rep Theatre
Runs: 2h 15m, one interval, til13 January 2018
Bham Rep BO: 0121 236 4455
www.birmingham-rep.co.uk
Review: Rod Dungate, 9 December 2017
@Rod_Dungate
Enchanting, magical puppetry, but misses a trick or two
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, Theatre Royal, Nottingham till 14th January
Nottingham
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST.
3Stars***
Theatre Royal: Tkts 0115 989 5555 www.royalcentre-nottingham.co.uk.
Runs: 2h 10m: one interval: till 14th Jan.
Performance times: Varies, 1.30pm, 2.30pm, 7.15pm (check with box office).
Audio Described: 2.30pm 16th Dec and 1.30pm 7th Jan.
Sign Language Interpreted: 1.30pm 14th Dec, 1.30pm 17th Dec, 7.15pm 12th Jan.
Captioned Performance: 2.30pm 6th Jan.
Relaxed Performance: 1.30pm and 7.15pm 10th Jan.
Review: Alan Geary: 10th December 2017.
Go and see this, but be on hand to cover the children’s ears when necessary.
Cinderella, 4****, Birmingham
Birmingham
CINDERELL
4 Star****
Runs: Approx 2h 15m, one interval
Tickets: 0844 338 5000
Info: www.birminghamhippodrome.com
Review Rod Dungate 22 December 2017
@Rod_Dungate
Pushes all the right Buttons
Ex Cathedra Christmas Music, 5*****, Birmingham
Birmingham
Christmas Music by Candlelight
Ex Cathedra
21 December
St Paul’s Church Hockley
5*****
Review: Paul & David Gray
A truly magical Christmas Offering
WONDERLAND: Steel, Nottingham Playhouse till 24th February
Nottingham
WONDERLAND: Beth Steel.
4Stars****
Nottingham Playhouse.
www.nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk.
Runs: 2h 30m: one interval: till 24th February.
Performance times: 7.30pm (matinees 2.30pm Sat 24th, 1.30pm Thurs 15th)
Review: Alan Geary: 13th February 2018.
Best play so far about the Miners’ strike.
Elephant, 3***, Birmingham
Birmingham and Tour
Elephant: Gurpreet Kaur Bhatti
3***
Birmingham Rep Theatre, The Door and Tour
Runs: 1h 30m, no interval, at the Rep till, 3 March
Bham Rep BO: 0121 236 4455
www.birmingham-rep.co.uk
Review: Rod Dungate, 22 02 18
@Rod_Dungate
The surface may shine, but beware of what lies beneath.